Every year, millions of animals are poisoned and killed in barbaric tests that were crudely developed as long ago as the 1920s to evaluate the toxicity of consumer products and their ingredients. Rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and other animals are forced to swallow or inhale massive quantities of a test substance or endure the pain of having a chemical eat away at their sensitive eyes and skin––even though the results of animal tests are often unreliable or not applicable to humans.

Today, hundreds of cosmetics and household-product companies have turned their backs on animal testing and begun taking advantage of the many sophisticated non-animal testing methods available today, which range from cell and tissue cultures to computerized “structure-activity relationship” models.

We interviewed the make up artist Valentina Gretsova about alternatives to make up and you get to check out the photo shoot by the photographer Maria Merlukova with the model Flavia Dias, all the products used are cruelty free.

As a huge animal lover I only use cruelty-free products. When you choose to go cruelty-free, you are making a statement that animal testing is unacceptable. Just the idea of testing sounds not only inhumane, but outdated and unnecessary as well. All of my clients are very supportive because they know they can achieve a beautiful and healthy look using only animal-friendly products – and they can feel good about themselves too! (Valentina)

The good news is that today, a multitude of cruelty-free cosmetics and household products are not tested on animals. Check out PETA’s database of companies that don’t test on animals and request a free copy of PETA’s global Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide to find cruelty-free versions of all the products that you could ever need.

I only got introduced to the colorful Brazilian culture last year. Not only I made friends with fellow Brazilian students at the school, butalso had an opportunity to watch Brazilian films at the 7th Los Angeles Brazilian Film Festival – LABRFF. This is when I realized that the Brazilian culture is similar to mine, the Indian culture. We are vibrant, colorful, have differences and yet learn to co-exist.It felt like our cultures have a lot in common.This year, I had made it a point to watch as manyBrazilian films as I could at the festival . And I’m glad I did.

Poster by Artist Jabu

Brazil My Love truly was hard hitting. This was straight into our face. While watching the film, I put myself into one of the characters’s life. It is not for faint hearts or those who want to mask their existence in hypocrisy. This film is honest, brutal and leaves us with an introspection of how we are dealing with our identity crisis as foreigners living in America.I can relate with these feelings of anger and resentment. Also the fact that I’m a lot more content living in the States.Picture by Ana Silvani

The director of the film uses open argument, anger, bitterness and sex as an analogy to bare open the Brazilian spirit to the naked truths which confront them every single day. Who are we? American?Brazilian? Brazilian American or American Brazilian?

Both men and women have similar and conflicting perspectives. They agree and agree to disagree, and some stick to their own contradictions. The dialogues are natural. You can feel that they are coming out of the Brazilian gut. It really meant a lot to me. It made me think. All my life I felt like a western spirit trapped in a eastern body. Most importantly dealing with all the hypocrisy, corruption and external conflict has never been easy.

One of the characters points out about the basic etiquette which Brazilians

often tend to ignore. The lack of respect for privacy is another thing. And
like many foreigners in this country, we are also the targetsto discrimination and stereotypes.

I highly recommend the producers and thedirector and the entire team who stood up to tell this story. It’s a burning and universal issue to anyone who either moved from their home country or were born here in America.

The actors played out well. They are believable and they bare open their

insecurities to this vulnerable and sensitive topic of the geographic identity crisis.

I’m very sure many of you have heard about this filmand some of you had a privilege to watch this funny, thought provoking and coming of age Brazilian movie by Fellipe Barbosa either at a film festival or at a private screening. Barbosa is known for making films inspired from his real life experiences and characters and he does it again with CASA GRANDE.

Barbosa revisits his own life while he was growing up in his wealthy father’s house in Brazil . He courageous webs the stories inspired from the real events that took place in his own family and brilliantly weaves it with fiction to keep it interesting. He even shot the film in his father’s bungalow, which is beautiful piece of architecture.

While both Hugo and Sonia culturally identify themselves as the upper class European, Jean on the other hand doesn’t mind hanging out with his driver Severino and maid Rita. He sees Severino as a friend and Rita becomes an outlet for his randiness. But due to economic crisis, Hugo fires Severino and Jean’s only option is the bus to school where he meets Luiza (Bruna Amaya). Soon they develop liking for each other. Back in school, Jean is confronted with the debate on quotas, a topic that is not so important to him. Barbosa handles this controversial subject matter delicately yet profoundly using Luiza voice who doesn’t miss an opportunity to lecture his family’s friends about the need for it. This comes to a stark contrast as we notice unlike Jean, his parents don’t really exchange empathy freely with racially diverse servants whose personal lives are of no interest.

I only wish there was more to Nathalie’s role. But she is the only eyes in the house watching everyone. Even she has her own dark side. And this is the beauty of this film that every character has stark two sides. Barbosa and Sztajnberg’s writing is brilliant and Barbosa splendidly captures the dynamics of class inside and outside Jean’s home using great sense of humor and empathy by creating thought provoking situations.

Technically the film is really good. The camera beautifully captures the breathtaking scenic locations. It makes you feel like you’re actually breathing. The sound design and the background music become one more character. Even the minute details like the sound of a car indicator can be distinctly heard. A pat on the back of every technician. Last but not the least, the actors breath life into these simple looking yet complex characters. They all fit together like a perfect jig-saw puzzle.

Thales Cavalcanti is a very talented singer and songwriter. Bruna Amaya, is absolute treat. Clarissa Pinheiro steals a part of you with her free spirited portrayal of the character Rita. Alice Melo is very sassy and sensual as the mysterious Nathalie. Marcello Novaes, who is known to play casanova’ish characters in the TV is bound to get noticed by the film studio execs after his mature role Casa Grande. Suzana Pires again delivers a subtle yet profound performance. The supporting cast Marilia Coelho, Gentil Cordeiro and other significantly insignificant actors fit perfectly in their characters.

The movie however ends with a very interesting scene. There are no words spoken here. You will see Jean transform into a Man. The classic climax shot also became the face of the Key Art design for the theatrical posters.

Casa Grande hits the screens in Brazil today, April 16 2015.

So, if you already heard about this movie and wondered if you should take time out to watch, then I strongly recommend you do. It’s a treat for your eyes, mind and heart which I promise will work on evolving your soul. A must watch.